Bringing people and nature together
NaturTanken advises companies, authorities and organisations on nature conservation and biodiversity
CONTACT
Write or call Bo Normander for an
informal discussion about possible
assignments or project collaboration.
+45 20 87 19 33
bo@naturtanken.com
NaturTanken offers advice in the following areas:
- Nature conservation and biodiversity
- Nature-based solutions
- Environmental assessments
- Integrated analysis
- Nature education and outreach
CONSULTANCY
NaturTanken advises companies, authorities and organisations on nature conservation and biodiversity. The ambition is to find solutions that support a healthy relationship between humans and nature and contribute to sustainable development. The specific assignment will of course be tailored to your needs and goals.
Assignments are generally carried out by Bo Normander as the central advisor, and often involves one or more of NaturTanken’s competent partners.
Nature conservation and biodiversity
Danish nature and biodiversity are protected in various ways through conservation areas, Natura 2000 designations, land registrations, voluntary agreements, etc. NaturTanken provides advice on how to ensure the best nature protection and how to manage natural areas most effectively – both on land and at sea. The advice is based on the IUCN’s global tools for assessing and certifying nature. IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the world’s largest nature organisation.
Nature-based solutions
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a concept that focuses on providing answers to society’s challenges that take into account nature and biodiversity. The solutions will often focus on the conservation and restoration of nature and incorporate the societal benefits that ecosystems can deliver. NaturTanken can – based on a global NbS standard developed by IUCN – provide advice, design and quality assurance of specific projects. No one is interested in greenwashing, which is why it is important to use a recognised standard for nature-based projects.
Environmental assessments
NaturTanken assists companies and municipalities through environmental assessment processes and projects. This can be, for example, in the initial phase of a construction project or in the final phase of a nature restoration plan. The focus is on the aspects of nature and biodiversity, including the protection of Annex IV species, §3 designations, and conditions set under EU directives and Danish regulation.
Integrated analysis
Integrated analysis (IA) is a key element of NaturTanken’s counselling. IA is about analysing complex interrelations between the environment and societal development and compiling all available knowledge and data into an overall meaningful analysis. If your company needs to create an overview of a complex situation, then IA may be the answer.
Nature education and outreach
NaturTanken works extensively on turning complex theoretical material into lively communication. Exciting communication about nature helps to inspire more people to get out and experience it. At the same time, the knowledge base and understanding of nature will increase, thereby motivating more to take good care of our precious nature and biodiversity. Our focus is on written, visual and digital communication, such as what can be experienced at explorenaturewithbo.com.
Examples of assignments and projects
Assessing nature-based solutions
NaturTanken collaborates with Nordic partners to evaluate local development projects built around Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The Holmehave multifunctional landscape project in Assens Municipality in Denmark became the first in the Nordic region to be assessed against the IUCN Global Standard for NbS. Building on this, a Nordic consortium is now working to raise awareness of nature-based solutions and adapt the standard to Nordic conditions — making it more accessible for municipalities, landowners, and other stakeholders.
Environmental impact study of Copenhagen artwork installation
On behalf of a German client, NaturTanken carried out an environmental assessment of a proposed large-scale artwork installation in Copenhagen Harbour. The study examined potential impacts on a range of species, including migratory birds, bats, and other species of concern. Based on the findings, NaturTanken provided indicative recommendations on the design and properties of the installation, with the aim of reducing its footprint on local wildlife and the surrounding environment.
Overview of habitat monitoring in Denmark
As part of a European Natura 2000 (N2K) consortium under an EU framework contract, NaturTanken conducted a habitat-mapping study for Denmark, reviewing all monitoring initiatives relevant to nature type mapping in a European context. Denmark has a long tradition of habitat monitoring, rooted in sectoral mapping and inventories dating back to the 1860s — work that was significantly expanded with the launch of NOVANA in 2004 to strengthen compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive and the Habitats Directive. The consortium will conduct equivalent country studies across all EU member states.
Reviewing Danish conservation areas
In 2018 and most recently in 2024, NaturTanken has participated in projects for the Danish Environmental Protection Agency about Danish protected areas, with the aim of creating an overview of the many nature conservation sites in Denmark and ensuring better reporting to the EU and the UN. Out of 1,720 protected areas assessed in 2018, 378 were found to fulfil the IUCN’s international standard for protected areas. Furthermore, in 2024, 30 new sites were assessed, of which 11 met the IUCN standard and hence can be reported to the EU and UN.
Nature protection at sea
In a 2-year project supported by the VELUX Foundation, a consortium including NaturTanken reviewed all protected areas in Danish waters and assessed whether they fulfil the IUCN’s international standard for nature protection. The project showed that 4.8% of Denmark’s total marine area is protected according to the IUCN standard. This means that Denmark is only halfway to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal of 10% marine protection.
Assessment of protected areas in Danish municipalities
Together with Parks’n Trails, GEON and others, NaturTanken advises municipalities and other landowners on their nature areas. By using the IUCN’s international standard for protected areas, it can be visualised how the managing organisation lives up to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for nature conservation. As an example, for Gladsaxe Municipality, we have assessed the municipality’s 73 green areas, many of which are of high nature quality. 30 of the areas comply with the IUCN standard and thus contribute directly to the SDG for nature on land.
Communication for Visit Greenland
NaturTanken has prepared a number of online communication products for Visit Greenland about Greenland’s nature, climate, animal and plant life. In the wildlife guide, you can explore some of Greenland’s best-known species of land mammals, whales, fish, birds and insects. The guide was awarded a special honourable mention (“Honoree”) at the 2021 Webby Awards. In the plant life guide, you can learn about Greenland’s trees, shrubs, flowers and edible plants.
Guidebook about Greenland's nature
For the Danish publisher Gyldendal, Bo Normander has written a comprehensive nature guide for Greenland. On 384 richly illustrated pages, the book comes all the way around Greenland’s nature, geology, climate and not least the unique animal and plant life so far north. Behind the book is an extensive effort to collect and synthesise the complex and scattered knowledge that exists about Greenland’s nature and climate – from scientific articles to local citizens’ observations.
Clients and Partners
Since 2018, NaturTanken has worked with over 50 businesses, municipalities, agencies, foundations and organisations — providing consultancy, communication and analysis services.
